In those days a decree went out
from Emperor Augustus that all the world should be registered.
This was the first registration and was taken while Quirinius
was governor of Syria. All went to their own towns to be
registered. Joseph also went from the town of Nazareth in
Galilee to Judea, to the city of David called Bethlehem, because
he was descended from the house and family of David. He went to
be registered with Mary, to whom he was engaged and who was
expecting a child.

While they were there, the time came for her to deliver her
child. And she gave birth to her firstborn son and wrapped him
in
swaddling clothes, and laid him in a manger,
because there was no place for them in the inn. In that region
there were shepherds living in the fields, keeping watch over
their flock by night. Then an angel of the Lord stood before
them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them, and they were
terrified. But the angel said to them, "Do not be afraid; for
see--I am bringing you good news of great joy for all the
people: to you is born this day in the city of David a Savior,
who is the Messiah, the Lord. This will be a sign for you: you
will find a child wrapped in bands of cloth and lying in a
manger." And suddenly there was with the angel a multitude of
the heavenly host, praising God and saying, "Glory to God in the
highest heaven, and on earth peace among those whom he favors!"

When the angels had
left them and gone into heaven, the shepherds said to one
another, "Let us go now to Bethlehem and see this thing that has
taken place, which the Lord has made known to us." So they went
with haste and found Mary and Joseph, and the child lying in the
manger. When they saw this, they made known what had been told
them about this child; and all who heard it were amazed at what
the shepherds told them. But Mary treasured all these words and
pondered them in her heart. The shepherds returned, glorifying
and praising God for all they had heard and seen, as it had been
told them.